Construction Loans

Building a property can seem like a daunting task with many steps and processes that you may feel out of control. As an experienced broker who has assisted many home owner and investors finance building their properties – he can streamline this process and educate you on how the finance works and what is the best structure for your construction loan.

Every borrower who speaks with Gerry is able to use his seasoned knowledge on construction loans to understand the best lenders for financing a build, what are the tips and tricks and how to manage the finance right through to the completion of the build and thereafter.

If you’re looking to get a construction loan, Gerry can you with:

How much you can borrow

How the lenders value properties being built and what to do to maximise the value of your build

Whether you can use fixed rates on a construction loan

How to reduce fees and have access to lower interest rates

What progress payments are, how the builder is paid at each stage of the build process by the lender

How to finance parts of the build done by other contractors instead of the builder (ie carpet, air conditioning, landscaping) as ‘out of contract items’

How Do Construction Loans Work?

Constructions loans are much like normal home loans and require the same checks by the lender – but with a few added layers. When building the lender will generally want to see the following with any application:

Formal building plans and specifications (council approval is not mandatory at application but required before the loan can be drawn down to start making progress payments

Fixed price building contracts including any variations and selections completed

Quotes for any out of contract items

Rental appraisal from a real estate professional if the property is to be used as an investment property

The lender will review the building costs and proposed plans and value property based on what it should be worth end construction.

When approved – lender provides commencement to yourself and builder to confirm they can start construction.

As the builder completes the important stages the builder will issue invoices for payment – these are known as progress payments. The lender receives these invoices and may require a payment form to be completed each time (Gerry will fill these out for you). The bank will generally confirm the works have been completed and then make payment for you – with the loan now increasing in size with each payment until it reaches the fully drawn down limit. You will only pay interest on the amount drawn down at each point. The common payment stages are as follows (but not limited to):

Slab poured

Building frame

Roof and brickwork

Internal fitout

Final fitout

Once the final payment is made, the bank will order a new valuation on the property to confirm the property is fully completed and the new value of the property. From this point your loan will convert to a normal home loan and you will be able to make any changes you like to repayments, whether to fix your loan – Gerry will be able to assist you with this.

Adelaide Broker

Local Adelaide mortgage broking specialist. With over 30 lenders and 100’s of loan products available, I can help you find the best loan available to you.
With my knowledge I can help you whether you’re purchasing, refinancing, building your own home or investing for your future.